Category: <span>Uncategorized</span>

First things first: If you look over in the left column, you’ll see that I’ve been at work adding some mini-reviews of books and music I like. Perhaps you will like them, too.

Yes, it’s Independence Day here in the US, but I’m not really a very independent person… I’m writing a blog and reading others’, for cryin’ out loud. I think that demonstrates that I am a very interdependent person.

With that said, I would like to declare my independence today from slavery to my passions and pardon from the just condemnation I have merited by my dreadful conduct:

So those who are believers in Christ Jesus can no longer be condemned.… Read the rest

This post should be read to Green Day’s Boulevard of Broken Dreams.

I walk this empty street
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I’m the only one and I walk alone

Every morning, Denise and I wake up shortly after 5AM to go out for our daily walk/run. We’ve done this probably since we lived in Maine, ten years ago. However, there’s something about me… about my little pea brain, that I’ve known since I began running way back around 1982. I like to exercise alone. When I’m with someone else, no matter the physical activity, I always feel like I have to catch up with or wait for them.… Read the rest

I found this thought-provoking article about the… Just a moment, I have an email coming in that I’ve been waiting for. Okay, that was good, let’s start over. I found this thought-provoking article about the deleterious effect of too much…. Wait a second, I just heard the phone ring. I’ll be right back. Alright, so where was I. Oh, yes… the deleterious effect of all our modern communications… Excuse me, Denise is calling from the other room…

“What? Who? Tell them I’m busy blogging and I’ll call back in about a half hour. *Sigh*”

So, ummm, this article says that, uh… well, here… you read it yourself:

The Scotsman
Fri 22 Apr 2005
Scientists believe ‘infomania’ can hit our ability to concentrate and cause permanent loss of intelligence.… Read the rest

Online Catalog: Essential Blogging:

“With weblogs or ‘blogs’ exploding all over the Web, the only thing lacking for power users and developers is detailed advice on how to choose, install, and run blogging software. Written by leading bloggers, Essential Blogging includes practical advice and insider tips on the features, requirements, and limitations of applications such as Blogger, Radio Userland, Movable Type, and Blosxom. This book will get you up and blogging in no time. ”

Sam gave me this book for my birthday and I’ve finished it. It’s a good read with some helpful tips for the beginner. So far, my favorite is BlogThis!… Read the rest

Disneyland is a great place for unanticipated brushes with cartoon characters, old friends or even a celebrity or two. Back in the mid-80’s, our family hit the jackpot.

Denise and I are natives of Whittier, so we’ve known Disneyland since… well, practically since the day we became aware of our surroundings. The first thing seasoned Magic Kingdom visitors discover is that you never want to visit during August and you only go during the Summer or school vacations if you positively have to (when your weird cousins visit from out of state, for instance). Anyways, we found that the optimum times are around November or February and always while school is in session.… Read the rest

I was craving some Himalayan food on a sunny Saturday last Fall, so I decided to head down the Rough and Ready Highway to Didi Bhai. As I neared the old market, I saw an estate sale on the left side of the road. I couldn’t stop because I was on a mission: a buffet of curry, chutney, nan bread… you understand. So, on my way home I stopped and browsed around the small house and yard for treasures. I found one. The deceased are Christians and I found a few missing books for my library. There was also a Bible in near mint condition… leather, New American Standard… perfect for special occasions!… Read the rest

Today, I was honored to be invited to a ground-breaking ceremony and lunch at the Firehouse Restaurant, to kick off construction of the F. William Blaisdell, M.D. Medical Library at the UC Davis Medical Center. It seemed only fair that we were invited, after Denise and I made a generous contribution to the med center of about $1.5 million in 1998 (with some help from the Mail Handler’s Benefit Plan).

Dr. Blaisdell was the surgeon, who saved my life, then my leg, then my ankle and, finally, my foot. We have kept in touch over the years. Many notables were present, but they pale in comparison to my heroes Dr.… Read the rest